“You must not bear false witness against your neighbor.”

Meaning: It reads in Exodus 20:16 Easy: You must not tell lies about other people.

Speak truth. Do not lie about others, twist facts, exaggerate, gossip, or harm someone’s reputation. This commandment protects justice, relationships, and the dignity of every person.

God calls us to be people whose words can be trusted — people who build up rather than tear down.

Heart Reflection:

Words can wound deeper than weapons. A rumor can destroy what someone spent years building. A lie can stain a name that may never fully recover. Even silence, when truth is needed, can become a form of false witness.

This commandment invites us to examine not just what we say, but why we say it — Are we speaking from love? From truth? From humility? Or from hurt, anger, jealousy, or assumption?

To bear true witness is to speak with integrity, to protect others with our honesty, and to let our words reflect the heart of God.

Poetic Line:

May my words be windows of truth, never shadows of harm.

Prayer:

“Lord, purify my speech and my intentions. Guard my tongue from gossip, exaggeration, and careless words. Teach me to speak truth with grace, to protect the dignity of others, and to let my voice reflect Your character.” In Jesus Precious Name Amen.